Young Business Person of the Year went to Matt Worthington, of Storm Video Productions, Leighton Buzzard.

The 24-year-old set up Storm Videos back in 2012, aged just 20, at his home in Millstream Way.

Matt told the LBO that the award was a massive confidence booster and added: “I got into video production through a passion for filmmaking from around the age of 12.

“I continued this as a past-time and through my studies. When I got to university, I started taking on work outside of the course and once I started getting paid, this led from recommendation to recommendation, until I realised this was a business opportunity for me.

“Since starting up, I have worked with Isuzu Trucks, Beijing West Industries (Luton), West Mercia Police, Worcester City Council, as well as many other SMEs in the local region. The company takes on jobs of all sizes, from one person shoots for companies, to full crew jobs with actors and locations.

“It was really good to hear at the awards the reason that I won. They mentioned that I showed care towards my customers. I guess this is why I have done well because most of my work has come from recommendations from my clients. I plan to grow on this and expand my network even further.

“This is the first award Storm Videos has won directly for managing a business, but I have also won other awards for my filmmaking at various film festivals around the world – Italy, Ukraine, America, Bulgaria – including Best Film and Best Editor.

“I see my career developing by continuing to build close relationships with my clients, providing a high quality service and producing videos that will be remembered by their customers.

COMMUNITY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: Runner-up: TK Furniture, Hockliffe St, Leighton Buzzard.

“I not only want to grow the business to a level to support myself but also to provide career opportunities for others a few years down the line, as it is such a competitive industry for trying to get work in that area.”

This week Matt moved his business out from his home to Norfolk House East (just off Silbury Boulevard) in Milton Keynes.

In the Rural Business of the Year category, Pecks Farm Shop, Stockwell Farm, Eggington were named joint winners.

Fiona Peck told the LBO: “ Pecks Farm Shop is a multi -award winning family run local Farm Shop & Deli based on the outskirts of Leighton Buzzard on the A4012 towards Hockliffe.

“We pride ourselves on giving excellent customer service, having really different, fantastic products and supplying fresh fruit and veg – much of it local, in season.

“Pecks Farm shop was started 14 years ago when we stopped milking the cows and needed another income to support a growing young family.

“Not only is the farm shop thriving but the new hamper business is booming too. All the hampers are hand-made and beautifully decorated ,using the produce from the shop and either collected or can be sent all around the country.

“Winning the FSB award for Best Rural Business is amazing and we are thrilled to bits!”

Runner-up in the Business Person of the Year was Michelle Shulman of La Belle Cake Company of North Street, Leighton Buzzard.

Also a runner-up was TK Furniture, of Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard in the Community Business of the Year section.

Nicola Weeks, of George James Bridal, in Harpur Street, Bedford, scooped the prestigious overall county title

Ian Cording, chairman of the Bedfordshire branch of the FSB, was also the lead judge in a panel of 13 for the awards. He said: “Win, lose or draw, by being here, you have proved yourselves to be the true business champions.”

The award category winners in full were:

BEST NEW BUSINESS, sponsored by Spectrum Recruitment.

Winner: Smarta Healthcare, Priory Business Park, Bedford.

Runner-up: Go Houghton Bar and Restaurant, Houghton Regis.

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by the FSB.

Winner: Aaron Foster, DCS Voice and Vision, Laporte Way, Luton.

Two runners-up: George Brightman, The Play Doctors, Main Road, Astwood and Carly Marjoribanks, Trademaid, Ampthill.